Whincup bounces back

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Jamie Whincup never got the chance to experience the
second-season blues after he lost his seat in the main V8 supercar
show after just one campaign.

The former formula Ford champion raced alonside the vastly more
experienced Garth Tander in the GRM squad in 2003, only to be left
on the sidelines this year.

Now, belatedly, Whincup is to get a second crack at the big
time, driving for the expanding Tasman Motorsport operation in
2005.

The 21-year-old Victorian will link up with Kiwi Jason Richards
in a two-car team run by V8 hotshot Greg Murphy's father Kevin.

Whincup kept his hand in by driving at Sandown and Bathurst for
Larry Perkins' Castrol Perkins team. Alongside Alex Davison, he
finished ninth at Bathurst - his first top-10 finish.

Tasman Motorsport principal Murphy says the move to a two-car
operation and the team's impending relocation from Sydney to
Melbourne made Whincup the ideal choice.

"Jamie's a Melbourne lad whom we've been aware of for some time
because we think he has great potential. You don't win the
Australian formula Ford title without a fair bit of natural talent,
and he's obviously learned a lot about the business in a difficult
season with GRM."

Whincup is delighted to get the chance to again go racing in a
Commodore.

"I think Jason and I can work really well together in identical
cars and I'll be looking to deliver good, consistent results
straight off the bat," he said.

Murphy said the team had opted to pick a young charger over a
more-experienced driver because it would have better long-term
consequences.